Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve

Vwaza Marsh covers around a thousand square kilometres of miombo woodland and floodplain west of Rumphi on the Zambian border, with Lake Kazuni at its eastern edge where the camp sits. Hippo are in the lake in numbers and elephant come down to it, both visible from the camp without leaving it, which is unusual. Game is thinner in the interior but the birding is good and the reserve receives very few visitors.

Background

Unlike the Nyika Plateau to its northwest, most of the reserve is low, flat ground, though the eastern side is hilly. It lies north of the South Rukuru River floodplains, and its cover is a mix of mopane and miombo woodland with marshy wetlands. Animals move across the border to and from Zambia's North Luangwa National Park, so numbers change from season to season. Large herds of Cape buffalo and elephant are typical, with antelope such as eland, impala, roan, greater kudu and Lichtenstein's hartebeest. Camera traps have recorded lions, probably passing through, as well as leopards and wild dogs. Birdlife includes the rare white-winged starling, openbill storks and Goliath herons. Vascular plants number 398 species, drawn from 71 families.

Source: Wikipedia, "Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve"

What's there

• Lake Kazuni - the water beside the camp with hippo and elephant coming down.
• The floodplain - the marsh the reserve is named for.
• The miombo woodland - the dominant vegetation across the interior.
• The birding - the long species list along the lake and marsh.

When to go

June to October is the dry season and best for game at the water. The rains make roads difficult and disperse the animals. Malaria risk is high in the wet season.

Things to know

Game densities are low outside the lake area. Facilities are basic camp accommodation. Roads inside the reserve are rough and often impassable in the rains.

Nearby

Nyika is northeast, and Rumphi is east.

Key facts